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The Pork Checkoff, Pioneer Hi-Bred and PIC have awarded 19 scholarships to college students to further develop participation in the pork industry’s future.

“Helping to develop the next generation of pork professionals is one of the issues the Pork Checkoff identified as critical for the industry to address,” explains Gene Nemechek, DVM, president of the National Pork Board from Springdale, AR. “Our service and obligation to producers includes ensuring that there is a sustainable source of capable people ready to take on the industry’s charge of producing a safe, wholesome food product in a socially responsible way.”

Nineteen recipients from across the United States represent 13 universities and eight swine-related fields of study:

“A skilled workforce is essential for the competitiveness of this industry,” Nemechek says. “We need young leaders to look at pork not just as a food choice, but as a career. This is a chance for the industry to encourage these young people to join a workforce that offers many diverse opportunities. We have needs in production management, veterinary medicine, environmental management, food safety, genetic improvement, nutrition and much more.”

For more information on Pork Checkoff-funded programs, call the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675 or go to www.pork.org.